In 2016, in honor of Dr. Eric Frykberg, an MUSC Surgical alumnus who built a brilliant and productive career that has made the practice of Surgery safer, better, and smarter, the MUSC Department of Surgery was honored to have the opportunity to dedicate Surgery Research Day in Dr. Frykberg’s memory.

The Eric R. Frykberg Memorial Lectureship Fund is established in support of surgical education in the MUSC Department of Surgery.

Eric Robert Frykberg, M.D. received his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Frykberg’s postgraduate training was completed at New York University Medical Center and the Medical University of South Carolina, where he studied under renowned surgeon, Marion Anderson, M.D., after which he was stationed as a Staff Surgeon at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

After military service, he joined Raymond Alexander, M.D. at the University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville and was Chief of the Division of General Surgery at ShandsJacksonville Medical Center for his entire career -- a career that has left an indelible mark on Surgical Resident Education.

Dr. Frykberg, an MUSC alumnus, was the quintessential surgical scientist. He built a brilliant career that has made the practice of surgery safer, better and smarter.

His work in vascular injury revised our thinking and, to this day, stands as a tenet in the management of vascular and, specifically, arterial trauma.

His work in the mass casualty arena likewise resulted in a series of courses in educational procedures that has indeed enabled us to be better prepared for both man-made and natural disasters.He was a founding member of the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (EAST) and served as its President.

He served as President of the EAST Foundation. At his death, he was the appointed Governor to the American College of Surgeons (ACS) representing the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST).He was a major leader in the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, specifically in areas of violence prevention. He was an elected fellow of the Southern Surgical Association (SSA) and the American Surgical Association.